Published: September 04, 2008 11:57 am      

Remote control airplane show this weekend

Remote control airplane pilots from throughout the Midwest will make Percival Springs Airport a busy place this weekend.

Model airplanes with wingspans up to 10 feet will participate in the International Miniature Aerobatic Competition regional contest, one of several held each year in the IMAC’s northcentral region.

Tournament director Tom Baker of the Olney-Noble Airport said he expects about 25 pilots to participate in the event, which begins at about 9 a.m. Saturday and continues through Sunday.

Baker said the best time for spectators might be Saturday evening’s freestyle competition.

“During the day, the pilots will be executing set maneuvers, which could get a little boring,” Baker admitted. “But Saturday night there will be a wide variety of maneuvers set to music.”

Baker said the evening festivities should begin around 7 p.m., depending on how daytime competition goes.

The public is invited and admission is free.

Percival Springs owner Mark Percival said he expects several pilots to come in Friday and camp on airport grounds. There also will be closing competition Sunday, he said.

Bill Grimes can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 131 or bill.grimes@effinghamdailynews.com.